This article is part of an ongoing collaborative project between the National Agricultural Research and Development Institute (NARDI) and AgroLynx Zrt witch is centered on the need to reduce the use of chemical herbicides in agriculture while maintaining high crop yields. It adopts a case study approach to explore alternative solutions aimed at reducing or eliminating synthetic herbicide use. Agroecological weed management practices will be compared with conventional chemical herbicide applications under field conditions. Field experiments were conducted to evaluate the effects of agroecological weed management (AWM) practices and a natural herbicide based on pelargonic acid on crop performance and weed infestation. The study focuses on two cropping systems, with one crop per year: sunflower (2024–2025) and wheat (2025–2026), under organic farming conditions in Fundulea, Romania. In addition to field experimentation, the research includes soil microbiome analysis based on samples collected from four experimental plots. Environmental parameters will also be monitored through the installation of specific sensors to record meteorological data, soil temperature, soil moisture, and water pH. The project aims to provide integrated insights into sustainable weed management strategies by combining agronomic performance data with soil biological and environmental indicators, contributing to the development of environmentally friendly agricultural practices.

agroecological weed management, chemical herbicides, field conditions, pelargonic acid, crop performance, organic farming

agronomy

Presentation: poster